Solar rooftop

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a solar rooftop, comprising a prop having a crossbeam; a plurality of hollow solar collector tubes parallel disposed on the prop; a waterproof film contacted with the hollow solar collector tubes; a plurality of glass tubes parallel disposed on the waterproof film; and a glass plate disposed on the glass tubes; wherein the glass tubes are disposed between two adjacent vacuum collector tubes. The solar rooftop of the invention has high transparency, good heat insulation, heat accumulation, heat retention and sealing performance, long lifetime, and an automatic temperature adjustment function.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200610089660.7 filed on Jul. 10, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for harvesting solar energy, and more particularly to a solar rooftop.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, solar collectors employing all-glass vacuum collector tubes or hollow glass tubes have been used to facilitate heat accumulation while providing transparency. For example, Chinese Pat. Appl. No. 200420112746.3 discloses a solar collector comprising a plurality of hollow glass tubes for accumulating heat.

However, it is difficult to provide high degree of transparency and heat accumulation simultaneously using conventional solutions. Moreover, conventional solar collectors have poor sealing performance, which causes ventilation and water leakage, and reduces lifetime, and complicates maintenance. In addition, most conventional solar collectors are unable to adjust temperature automatically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described problems, it is one objective of the invention to provide a solar rooftop that has high transparency, good heat insulation, heat accumulation, heat retention and sealing performance, long lifetime, and an automatic temperature adjustment function.

To achieve the above objectives, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a solar rooftop, comprising a prop having a crossbeam; a plurality of hollow solar collector tubes parallel disposed on the prop; a waterproof film contacted with the hollow solar collector tubes; a plurality of glass tubes parallel disposed on the waterproof film; and a glass plate disposed on the glass tubes; wherein the glass tubes are disposed between two adjacent vacuum collector tubes.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the glass tubes are hollow glass tubes.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a pad disposed on the crossbeam of the prop and operating to improve intensity of the glass tube.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a pressing plate disposed on the pad.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a nail passing through the pressing plate and being received in the pad, so as to fix the pressing plate to the pad.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the glass tubes are all-glass vacuum collector tubes.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a pad disposed on the crossbeam of the prop and operating to improve intensity of the glass tube.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a pressing plate disposed on the pad.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a fixing device passing through the pressing plate and being received in the pad, so as to fix the pressing plate to the pad.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the pressing plate is saddle-shaped or concavely-shaped.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the glass tubes comprise a plurality of hollow glass tubes and all-glass vacuum collector tubes disposed alternately.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the glass tube is received in an upper gap formed between two adjacent hollow solar collector tubes.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the glass tube is contacted with an outer wall of the two adjacent hollow solar collector tubes via the waterproof film.

In certain classes of this embodiment, an outer diameter of the glass tube is greater than a distance between the two adjacent hollow solar collector tubes.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a pad disposed on the crossbeam of the prop.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a pressing plate disposed on the pad.

In certain classes of this embodiment, the solar rooftop further comprises a fixing device passing through the pressing plate and being received in the pad, so as to fix the pressing plate to the pad.

In other aspects the invention provides a solar rooftop, comprising a plurality of hollow solar collector tubes; a plurality of glass tubes (4); a waterproof film (3); and a glass plate (5).

In certain embodiments, the hollow solar collector tubes (2) are disposed in parallel to one another.

In certain embodiments, the glass tubes (4) are disposed in parallel to one another.

In certain embodiments, the hollow solar collector tubes (2) are disposed in parallel to the glass tubes (4).

In certain embodiments, the waterproof film (3) separates the hollow solar collector tubes (2) from directly contacting the glass tubes (4).

In certain embodiments, the distance between any two adjacent solar collector tubes is not greater than S.

In certain embodiments, the outer diameter of the glass tubes (4), Φ₀, is greater than S.

In certain embodiments, each the glass tube (4) is disposed on top of two adjacent solar collector tubes (2).

In certain embodiments, Φ₀ is between about 3 and about 5 cm, and S between about 1 and about 4 cm.

In certain embodiments, the solar rooftop comprises a pad (7) made of a reflective material and a glass plate (5).

In certain embodiments, the hollow solar collector tubes (2) are disposed on the pad (7) and the glass plate (5) is disposed on top of the glass tubes (4).

The solar rooftop of the invention has high transparency, good heat insulation, heat accumulation, heat retention and sealing performance, long lifetime, and an automatic temperature adjustment function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a solar rooftop according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a solar collector tube and other components connected thereto according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a glass tube and other components connected thereto according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a glass tube and other components connected thereto according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a buckle fixing a glass tube to a prop according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a solar rooftop of the invention comprises a prop 1, a plurality of hollow solar collector tubes 2, a waterproof film 3, a plurality of glass tubes 4, a glass plate 5 and a pad 7.

The hollow solar collector tubes 2 are disposed in parallel to one another on the prop 1. The ends of the hollow solar collector tubes 2 may be aligned. An outer diameter of the hollow solar collector tubes 2 is, e.g., approximately 5.8-7 cm. The sides of the hollow solar collector tubes 2 are separated from one another by a distance S. The waterproof film 3 is disposed on top of the hollow solar collector tubes 2. The glass tubes 4 are contacted via the waterproof film 3 with the outer walls of two adjacent hollow solar collector tubes 2 via the waterproof film 3 resulting in a stacked arrangement, wherein a row of the glass tubes 4 in placed on top of a row of solar collector tubes 2.

The hollow solar collector tubes 2 may be hollow glass tubes, all-glass vacuum collector tubes, or a combination of the hollow glass tubes and the all-glass vacuum collector tubes disposed alternately. The outer diameter of the glass tube 4 is greater than a distance S between the two adjacent hollow solar collector tubes 2 disposed in the same plane. The outer diameter of the glass tube 4 is, e.g., approximately 3-5 cm.

A glass plate 5 is disposed on the glass tubes 4, so as to facilitate dust prevention and temperature retention. The thickness of the glass plate 5 is about 3-5 cm.

A reflective pad 7 made of a reflective material is disposed on a crossbeam of the prop 1, so as to increase the intensity of solar radiation received by hollow solar collector tubes 2.

Glass tubes may be fixed to the pad 7 and/or prop 1 by various means for fixing. As shown in FIG. 2, a pressing plate 9 is disposed on the pad 7, and a fixing device 8 passes through the pressing plate 9 and is received in the pad 7, so as to fix the pressing plate 9 to the pad 7.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, if the glass tube 4 is an all-glass vacuum collector tube, a pressing plate 12 is disposed on the pad 7, and a fixing device 10 passes through the pressing plate 12 and is received in the pad 7, so as to fix the pressing plate 12 to the pad 7. The pressing plate 12 is concavely shaped.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, if the glass tube 4 is a hollow glass tube, a pressing plate 14 is disposed on the pad 7, and a nail 13 passes through the pressing plate 14 and is received in the pad 7, so as to fix the pressing plate 14 to the pad 7.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, a buckle 15 is disposed at a ridge of the glass tube 4, and is in the vicinity of an outer edge of the glass tube 4, so as to fix the glass tube 4 to the prop 1.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A solar rooftop, comprising a prop (1) having a crossbeam; a plurality of hollow solar collector tubes (2) disposed in parallel on the prop (1); a waterproof film (3) contacted with the hollow solar collector tubes; a plurality of glass tubes (4) disposed in parallel on the waterproof film (3); and a glass plate (5) disposed on the glass tubes (4); wherein the glass tube (4) is disposed between two adjacent vacuum collector tubes (2).
 2. The solar rooftop of claim 1, wherein the glass tubes (2) are hollow glass tubes.
 3. The solar rooftop of claim 2 further comprising a pad (7) disposed on the crossbeam of the prop (1), wherein the pad (7) improves intensity of solar radiation at the hollow solar collector tubes (2).
 4. The solar rooftop of claim 3, further comprising a pressing plate (14) disposed on the pad (7).
 5. The solar rooftop of claim 4, further comprising a nail (13) passing through the pressing plate (14) and being received in the pad (7), so as to fix the pressing plate (14) to the pad (7).
 6. The solar rooftop of claim 1, wherein the glass tubes (4) are all-glass vacuum collector tubes.
 7. The solar rooftop of claim 6, further comprising a pad (7) disposed on the crossbeam of the prop (1) and operating to improve intensity of the glass tube (4).
 8. The solar rooftop of claim 7, further comprising a pressing plate (12) disposed on the pad.
 9. The solar rooftop of claim 8, further comprising a fixing device (10) passing through the pressing plate (12) and being received in the pad (7), so as to fix the pressing plate (12) to the pad (7).
 10. The solar rooftop of claim 9, wherein the pressing plate (12) is concavely-shaped.
 11. The solar rooftop of claim 1, wherein the glass tubes (4) comprise a plurality of hollow glass tubes and all-glass vacuum collector tubes disposed alternately.
 12. The solar rooftop of claim 1, wherein the glass tube (4) is received in an upper gap formed between two adjacent hollow solar collector tubes (2).
 13. The solar rooftop of claim 12, wherein the glass tube (4) is contacted with an outer wall of the two adjacent hollow solar collector tubes (2) via the waterproof film (3).
 14. The solar rooftop of claim 13, wherein an outer diameter of the glass tube (4) is greater than a distance between two adjacent hollow solar collector tubes (2).
 15. The solar rooftop of claim 1, further comprising a pad (7) disposed on the crossbeam of the prop (1) and operating to improve intensity of the glass tube (4).
 16. The solar rooftop of claim 14, further comprising a pressing plate (9) disposed on the pad (7).
 17. The solar rooftop of claim 16, further comprising a fixing device (8) passing through the pressing plate (9) and being received in the pad (7), so as to fix the pressing plate (9) to the pad (7).
 18. A solar rooftop, comprising a plurality of hollow solar collector tubes (2); a plurality of glass tubes (4); a waterproof film (3); and a glass plate (5); wherein the hollow solar collector tubes (2) are disposed in parallel to one another; the glass tubes (4) are disposed in parallel to one another; the hollow solar collector tubes (2) are disposed in parallel to the glass tubes (4); the waterproof film (3) separates the hollow solar collector tubes (2) from directly contacting the glass tubes (4); the distance between any two adjacent solar collector tubes is not greater than S; the outer diameter of the glass tubes (4), Φ₀, is greater than S; and each the glass tube (4) is disposed on top of two adjacent solar collector tubes (2).
 19. The solar rooftop of claim 18, wherein Φ₀ is between about 3 and about 5 cm, and S between about 1 and about 4 cm.
 20. The solar rooftop of claim 18 further comprising a pad (7) made of a reflective material and a glass plate (5), wherein the hollow solar collector tubes (2) are disposed on the pad (7) and the glass plate (5) is disposed on top of the glass tubes (4). 